The Filbert (foaled in 1980) was a New Zealand bred race-horse that was a top performer in New Zealand and internationally at Group 1 level.
Racing career
The Filbert was trained by Don Couchman and Paul Belsham at Hawera.
After winning three races in his early New Zealand racing career, The Filbert had a successful trip to Australia winning at Rosehill on 17 October 1984 and Flemington on 10 November 1984.
His best wins were: the 1985 New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie beating Silver Elm and Shifnal Prince (ridden by Garry Phillips), and the 1986 Waikato Cup over 2400m at Te Rapa, beating Bounty Hawk and Run For Cover (Grant Cooksley).
He also had a number of placings in big races such as:
1985/86 seasonNew Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1986 (15th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. third in the Caulfield Stakes behind Tristarc and Lacka Reason (Garry Phillips). fourth in the Caulfield Cup behind Tristarc and Our Sophia (Garry Phillips). fourth in the Cox Plate behind Rising Prince and Roman Artist (Garry Phillips). third in the Mackinnon Stakes behind Rising Prince and So Vague (Garry Phillips). third in the Japan Cup behind Symboli Rudolf and Rocky Tiger (Garry Phillips).
1986/87 seasonNew Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1987 (16th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand. second in the Feehan Stakes behind Dazzling Duke (G Murphy). fourth in the Underwood Stakes behind Bonecrusher and At Talaq (H White). fourth in the Caulfield Stakes behind Bonecrusher and Black Knight (G Murphy). third in the Cox Plate behind Bonecrusher and Waverley Star (G Murphy). This race became known as the Race of the Century.
See also
Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand
References
The Filbert Horse Pedigree